Running Water
Description
Sarah is an Indigenous woman destined to fulfill a powerful role in the prophecy of the Seven Generations. Raised with the sacred teachings of her ancestors, passed down through her father, mother, and her Great Aunt Jessie, Sarah carries the wisdom of her people. But her path is not easy--she is tested by the harsh realities of the modern world and the generational trauma rooted in colonization, residential schools, and systemic injustice. When the time comes, Sarah returns to her mother's reserve, where she faces deeper trials. There, she confronts the scars left by residential schools and the pain carried by her community.
Set against a backdrop of prophecy, tradition, and a world in crisis, this novel honors Indigenous teachings that foretell a time when, after near destruction, humanity must return to the wisdom of the Earth and its original caretakers.
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Person
Paula O'Brien is a status Mi'kmaq writer and longtime advocate within Indigenous communities across Canada. With deep roots in grassroots movements, she has long championed sensitive and complex issues, often well before they entered the national conversation. Her writing draws directly from lived experience and real-world events, offering an authentic voice on the realities faced by Indigenous peoples today. Influenced by the rich oral traditions of Indigenous Elders and leaders, Paula weaves storytelling, legends, and prophecies into her writing, reflecting both ancestral wisdom and the ongoing struggles of Indigenous communities in the 21st century.